COMMON JOURNEY 

  

    

 Lent 2018

Daily Gospel Reflections  

LENT ACTIVITIES ____________________ ☩ ____________________  

Sunday Mass Times

11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Daily Mass

Monday-Thursday 5:15 p.m.,

Friday 7 a.m. in the Brothers’ Chapel

Rosary Group

Mondays 9:15 p.m. MMC

Eucharistic Adoration & Confession

Wednesdays 8 p.m. Chapel

Communal Reconciliation Service

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

8 p.m. Chapel

Meditation with Br. Camillus

Tuesday and Wednesday 11:30-11:55 a.m.

and 12-12:25 p.m. in the Meditation Chapel

For 1:1 please sign up in the

Mission & Ministry Center

Join a  Faith Sharing Community  for Lent!

Faith Formation Nights

Thursdays 2/22, 3/8, 3/22

(Topics: Eucharist, Prayer & Human Dignity)

7 p.m. MMC

Bishop Robert Barron DVD Series

Thursdays 2/15, 3/1

7 p.m. MMC

Bishop Robert Barron Talk

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

7:30 p.m. Soda Center

Encountering Jesus Retreat

March 9-11, 2018

Monastery of Chau Son Sacramento

Community Engagement Opportunities

www.stmarys-ca.edu/engage

De La Salle Academy

Fridays 2:45-5:00 p.m.

Alameda Point Collaborative

Second Saturdays 9-12:30 p.m.

Monument Crisis Center

Wednesdays and Thursdays 1:30-5:30 p.m.

 

Mission and Ministry Center

(925) 631-4366 https://stmarys-ca.edu/mission-ministry-center 

Intro  

When Joy had her first baby, Teddy was notorious for not sleeping through the night. He

would be crying at 2 a.m. for unknown reasons. He didn’t want to be fed; his diaper was clean.

As a new mom, Joy was concerned, frustrated and tired. Throughout the many sleepless

nights, her husband David would wake up and offer to hold the baby. Joy would say to David,

“Go back to sleep honey, you have to work in the morning. I’ll take care Teddy.” David

replied, “Honey, we’re in this together.”

Our Common Journey this Lent is about being “in this together.” I hope that all of us have

and will have people in our lives whom we share a common journey - people with the same

purpose helping each other out to achieve #lifegoals. However, people often struggle with

and long for connection. In other words, we feel alone - especially in the midst of our trials

and tribulations.

Jesus was no exception; he was betrayed and felt abandoned.

This Lent, I invite you to walk with Jesus. Deepen your relationship with Jesus so that you can

call Him a friend. God became human in the person of Jesus to be “in this together” with us.

Learn how to be “in this together” with Jesus so that you too can share in the joy of His

resurrection.

The second invitation is to connect with one another. Make an extra effort to share your faith

and your life with those around you. We’re “in this together.”

Thank you to the students, staff, faculty and brothers of Saint Mary’s College who contributed

reflections. I am grateful for the the many diverse voices and experiences from all across

campus that came together to make this Common Journey.

How to read the reflections: ➔ Take 5 minutes each day to read the reflection of the day and pray.

➔ Jump ahead, but mark the reflections that resonates with you and go back to it often

throughout Lent.

➔ Share your thoughts with friends.

➔ Look up and read the Gospel reading of the day in its entirety

(www.usccb.org/bible/readings)

Quang Luu

Mission and Ministry Cover Artwork by Julie Lonneman (http://julielonneman.blogspot.com) 

ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“When you fast, do not be gloomy like the hypocrites.”  Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18  

Q: What are you doing for Lent? A: “I’m giving up candy.”

B: “I’m giving up social media.”

Q: Why? A: “So I can remind myself of the sacrifice

that Jesus made on the cross for me.”

Q: What happens after Lent is over? A: Nothing.

B: Back to normal I guess.

SPOILER ALERT: The original disciples of Jesus did not go back to their old ways of life after the

resurrection experience. Back to normalcy was not an option because they were filled with

the Spirit. The disciples had news to proclaim, there was a sense of urgency and purpose and

they had a mission that their Master wanted them to continue. It was a great AH-HA moment

that infused new life inside of them.

Our church has a rich and varied tradition of how we prepare for the Feast of Easter - the

Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are indeed some of the traditional

practices during Lent.

For me, Lent is a time of the year that our church intensely train so that we can replicate the

great AH-HA moment when the disciples witnessed the resurrection. We discern and meditate

(prayer), we have disciplines to get ourselves in shape (fasting) and we practice and exercise

love (almsgiving). The sacraments of Eucharist and reconciliation nourishes and heals us.

There are memories (Holy Thursday & Good Friday) that give special meaning to our mission.

This perspective may be fresh for many...but think about it.

If you are new or have been away, start Lent by reconnecting and having a heart to heart with

Jesus.

Faith in God and building the kingdom are endless endeavors. Through the season of Lent we

rekindle that fire within us and become stronger builders.

May our journey through the 40 days of Lent make us anew. 

Quang Luu

Mission and Ministry

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:22-25 

The usual thing to do during the Lenten season is to give up at least one thing: some refrain

sweets, others abstain from social media, some give up drinking alcohol! In today’s scripture,

Jesus said that we must deny ourselves. To deny ourselves does not mean to reject ourselves

outright: it is to follow God in our heart and to put our needs aside for God. So the reason to

celebrate Lent is not to go on a sugar diet: it is to remind us of our spiritual journey and the

hardships we face as we serve others. This is something that we must go through our whole

life as a spiritual journey: to take up our cross and serve our neighbors in need, even if that

involves foregoing our own needs and preferences!

May the Lenten season remind us to think of others' needs and intentions, especially those of the marginalized and poor, and may we follow the path of Christ always. 

Victor Jose Jaimes

Class of 2018

Political Science

          

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“Why do we and the Pharisees’ fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Matthew 9:14-15

In good Socratic fashion, Jesus responds to the disciples of John with a question of his own:

can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?”

The disciples ask a technical question rooted in the letter of the law: why do your followers get

to eat food while we fast from it?

By contrast, Jesus’ question is in the spirit of the law: why fast when the whole reason for

fasting is actually standing right in front of you?

So often, it can be easy to adopt a “letter of the law” approach to life; it often promises clarity

and certainty. Just tell me what to do and when I do it, please reward me. This approach can

happen just as easily in our academic life as it can in one’s spiritual life. It makes sense. Do this

and then that will most likely happen.

Jesus’ message constantly confronts a “letter of the law” formulaic approach to life. In this

example, Jesus’ approach is less about the steps needed to get an “A” (letter of the law) and

more about examining the deep anxiety and motivation (spirit of the law) surrounding one’s

grades. In the same way, following Jesus is not about the fulfillment of a checklist. Instead,

following Jesus is rooted in the tension and messiness of life. It is about fasting and

celebrating, giving and receiving, brokenness and forgiveness—in ways that are life-giving to

the world in transformative and challenging ways.  

God, help me to resist the temptation to adopt a letter of the law approach to life. Please provide opportunities for me to authentically live a life that celebrates abundance, practices grace, and offers forgiveness. 

 

Nick van Santen

Mission and Ministry

 

  

 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

"Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."  

Luke 5:27-32 

This is a great passage because Jesus always tells us how it is. What purpose does a healthy

man have in go to the doctor’s office? I think that the best part of the passage is the

community that Jesus defends. Yet, his defense is also somewhat ironic. We are all sinners so

in saying that he comes to heal the sinners he’s essentially saying that he’s here to heal

everyone. We just need to recognize that we ourselves are sinners, unlike the Pharisees. Kind

of like the idea behind you need to first admit you have a problem before you can seek help.

Our help is redemption, this is the entire reason why God sent us his only Son - our

redemption. Now we have the opportunity to reflect on our sins and accept the healing from

Jesus that he offers us today.

Don’t let sin keep us from you. May we come to know your healing powers.    

Eddie Ventura

Class of 2020

Business Administration - Marketing and Digital Media

          

 

 

1ST SUNDAY OF LENT, FEBRUARY 18 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days…” Mark 1:12-15 

Unlike the other Evangelists, Mark keeps his account of Jesus’ time in the desert short and

sweet. These verses are so much to the point, in fact, that I often find myself quickly glancing

over them as though the simple statement of events has nothing to offer beyond the words on

the page. On the contrary, this Gospel of the first Sunday of Lent reveals the real reason why

Lent is so important.

Lent is not meant to be understood simply as a month of obligatory box-checking or the time

for the recitation solemn prayers; rather, it is an opportunity to train, to be tested, and to

prepare ourselves to be sent forth to fulfill our baptismal promises and proclaim the Gospel.

While we may use prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as tools, it is ultimately the deepening of our

relationship with God that truly transforms us.

Jesus demonstrates through his own actions in the desert that the key to this transformation is

trust. Even after Jesus is driven out into the desert by the Spirit and finds himself facing

temptation alone among the wild beasts, he chooses to entrust his whole self to God and

relies on God’s grace ministered through the angels. Repentance is not simply one-time regret,

but is a conversion of heart and mind. In order to transform our lives in true repentance,

therefore, we must learn to trust God; especially when it seems as though we are being asked

to take on a challenge that seems beyond our strength.

As we join Jesus in the desert this Lent, may we leave behind the false sense of security the world offers and begin to embrace the simplicity that comes with true reliance on God. 

Alicia McCallister

Class of 2018

Integral

  

  

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19  ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:31-46 

The month of January was surprisingly busy for me. Compared to the fall and spring semesters,

Jan Term is known to be the slowest, however, this was not the case for me. I found myself

going to class late because of last-minute homework and a packed schedule. Usually, I would

be upset at myself for being late to class because we all pay for being present in a classroom.

This time around it was different because I noticed I didn't care if I was late to class. This

feeling was similar to the way I feel Sunday mornings. My family and I are Baptist and attend

every Sunday morning except for special circumstances. Matthew 25:31-46 talks about when

Jesus will come back to earth to claim his believers. The author uses the analogy of separating

sheeps from the goats. The sheeps represent the believers and the goats the non-believers.

Sometimes I feel like a non-believer. God speaks to the non-believers and says, “Depart from

me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry

and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me

no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for

me”. In the month of January I didn't slow down to think about how I felt about my spiritual

life, and I didn't feel guilty or “bad” about it. I was just too caught up with everything I was

doing. Now that Jan Term is over, I am noticing that my relationships with God has suffered.

My relationship with God is not what it used to be. I had morning devotions and I even

considered going to seminary school before I came to Saint Mary’s. I have realized that my

ambitions have surpassed God’s own intentions and now I feel like Job, but not completely.

Two months ago I almost lost my mom to a country that she has not been to in twenty years.

Now, I am battling with my own identity and my perception of life. How can I fit God in my

life? I don't know. It is something that I am still learning and I hope to learn by the end of this

year.

How does God fit in your life?    

Daniel Araujo

Class of 2020

Economics

   

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  

"This is how you are to pray:  

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  

"If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions." 

Matthew 6:7-15 

      

  

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“...there is something greater than Jonah here.” Luke 11:29-32  

Jesus was a great storyteller. In addressing the gathered crowd he was able to use two Old

Testament stories to make a point about his own identity as the Wisdom of God. With a bit of

storytelling dexterity we can use the same stories to make a point about how we identify with

Jesus as Wisdom.

The prophet Jonah originally ran from God’s call to preach to the Ninevites. Ultimately

but reluctantly he did preach to them. Jonah didn’t want the Ninevites to repent. They

succeeded in repenting anyway. Then he threw a temper tantrum because the gourd plant

that God provided him for shade died. In spite of himself Jonah became a sign for Jesus. Sadly,

he never recognized it. He simply fades into history as a paradigm for the puppet Pinocchio

who also got swallowed by a whale. Not much here to commend him to us even though Jesus

included him in his narrative.

The queen of the south has another name: she is also known as the queen of Sheba. The

expression is often used when we want to be unflattering to someone who is a bit

ostentatious. Scripture tells us, “She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large retinue, and with

camels bearing spices, a large amount of gold, and precious stones” (I kings 10:2). In spite of

this, Jesus saw her differently. He saw her as a searcher, one looking for wisdom, for the

meaning of life. Her journey to fulfill her desire was long and arduous but it was successful.

Jonah was a failed prophet. He is quite comical in his flight from doing the will of God.

The queen of the south (Sheba) succeeded in her desire to know the wisdom of God more

deeply.

The challenge during our Lenten journey is this: which one of these two narratives will

become our personal life story? What sort of storyteller will we become?

Lord Jesus, we pray that you accompany us on our Lenten journey that we may become more like you who are the Wisdom of the Father.  

Fr. John Morris, OP

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” Matthew 16:13-19 

Jesus confirms that Simon Peter has indeed given the correct answer, and that he is blessed -

not because he guessed correctly, but because - instead of simply reacting to what he saw and

heard - Simon Peter listened to what was revealed to him by God. He is blessed because he

relied on his faith.

How can I rely on my faith when there are so many other forces working on me? Sights and

sounds are powerful influences. Those things that are beautiful, joyous, and positive make me

happy and upbeat. Contrastly, angry, tragic, and sad stimulus bring me down and make me

feel hopeless. So where does that leave me? Am I like a ship hoping in vain for endless clear

skies and calm seas?

In my experience, it is difficult to live by faith alone. It is not realistic to block out everything I

see and hear - I live in this real world which compels me to react and respond to it. There will

be clear skies and calm seas, but there will also be strong winds and immense waves.

But what happens if I layer my faith over what I see and hear? In my experience, the joys,

beauty, and positivity stay joyful, beautiful and positive. I turn to God and I give thanks. And

when there is anger, tragedy, and sadness, I still feel those things, but my faith holds me up. I

turn to God, and this time I ask - how am I called to respond? No situation is truly hopeless. I

hold on to faith. I hold on to it, and it propels me forward with hope.

May our faith make us grateful, responsive, and hopeful people of God! 

Carrie Davis

Mission and Ministry

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“...if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother.”  

Matthew 5:20-26 

Lent is about coming home and building community, a community that will be ready to

recognize Christ on Easter Sunday. Originally, the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and

works of charity were developed as ways to accompany catechumens preparing for Baptism.

The journey to new life has never been meant to be a solitary one. This is the message of

today's Gospel. Our individual journeys are mirrored in our communal behavior. Jesus invites

us today to reflect on the harmony between the peace we feel inside and the way we treat

others. Our conscience is the judge. Take time today to reflect on any resentments, hard

feelings, or arrogance you might be harboring towards others.

If you are short with others and thinking ill of them, it is a good sign that all is not right, inside

and out. Do we realize that we have made victims of people that we don't like or for whom we

feel anger or contempt? For the sake of community and ultimately the dictates of Gospel

charity, we are called to extend the hand of peace to those we have demonized. Only then

does Jesus invite us to his table or to the intimacy of prayer.

Make it a practice today, and for the rest of the season, to release the victims of our scorn,

either by a friendly word or perhaps even a charitable deed. For if we don't, Jesus tells us, we

will remain shut up in a prison of our own making. If we can't turn away, for our own sake,

from the bad thoughts and feelings we harbor against others, let us consider making the effort

so as not to scandalize those newly on the journey to the Baptism and Holy Communion.

Reconciliation? It's as possible as Resurrection.

Jesus, I long to be in communion with you. Help me to have this desire with my brothers and sisters.   

Brother Charles Hilken, FSC

   

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you..." Matthew 5:43-48  

What type of love? Who are the enemies Jesus is referring to?

Let’s first remember that the Gospels were first written in Greek. In Ancient Greek culture

there were 4 terms to describe love - eros (erotic), storge (familial), agape (unconditional,

self-sacrificing) and philia (friendship). The writers tend to use agape when Jesus is talking

about love and it’s the case for this scripture passage. The Greek word for enemies is echthros

and it means people who hate you, people who don’t want you around. Enemy in this case is

not referring to the opposing sports team or the student that had a different opinion in class.

In first century Palestine, the enemies Jesus was alluding to were the Romans. There are

stories embedded in the Jewish community back then about massacres performed by the

Romans to their people.

What Jesus is saying is TOUGH! Would you sacrifice any time, your own resources, perhaps

even your life to help someone who killed hundreds and thousands of your people?

I don’t have that experience, so I don’t know. I do have the experience of being a child of

refugee parents who had to flee their home country because of war. A war that I understand

was unnecessary. A war that killed over a million of my people and caused great devastation.

The enemy is not an individual. The source of evil is not one person. It’s fear, ignorance, pain,

pride, greed, envy…

How do I transform these sins? It’s with LOVE. Not just for my own sake, but for the sake of

our communities, world and future generations. Social reconciliation needs more than love

too. It needs accountability, forgiveness, education...etc. But Jesus is right, you have to

agapate.

Help me see the inherent dignity in my enemies. When I am unable to see their inherent dignity help me to see their fear, ignorance or pain so that I am moved with compassion.  

Quang Luu

Mission and Ministry 

 

2ND SUNDAY OF LENT, FEBRUARY 25 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.” Mark 9:2-10 

Jesus spent a lot of time with his disciples and we can assume that, most of the time, he appeared to them as an ordinary human being. He was wise and compassionate, to be sure. He occasionally worked miracles of feeding large numbers of people or healing people afflicted with disease. It would seem, however, that his appearance was generally no different than that of any other human being, that he ate and drank and talked and laughed and slept just like any human being.

Jesus’s transfiguration appears to be a special gift, a special revelation, a special epiphany, we might say, in which his disciples catch a glimpse, however fleetingly, of who Jesus really is: a human being whose humanity carries within it, and to some extent often conceals, his divinity. His divinity pierces through the veil of his humanity when he works a miracle, but also in moments like this, when his divine nature is revealed to those who were around him.

The appearance of Moses and Elijah and their conversation with Jesus say something to us about the continuity of revelation from the time of the ancient Hebrew prophets right down to Jesus himself. Their conversing together on the mountaintop is a foreshadowing of the divine conversation that all of us are meant to enjoy with God and his saints in eternity. Our grasp of Jesus is fragile and fleeting now, in this life, and it depends on faith. We have moments when our faith is strong, but other moments when we doubt and are uncertain. If we in our day find that our faith is fragile, we can take comfort in reminding ourselves of the fact that the disciples lived with Jesus day in and day out, and still did not understand much of what was going on with his life and ministry. They were clearly awed and overwhelmed. Jesus instructs them to tell no one until he had risen from the dead. The disciples, even after spending so much time with Jesus, after hearing him preach and teach day in and day out, and after witnessing his miracles and signs, were left not even understanding what rising from the dead might mean. But, one day, in the courts of heaven, we will see God and Jesus as they truly are and we will become like them.  

Do we devote enough time to being with Jesus in solitude, so that when those moments of revelation come to us, we are prepared to receive them? 

 

Fr. Dave Gentry Theology and Religious Studies Department

 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36-38 

It was the Christmas season and as was our custom, the LoCoco family gathered in Florida to

celebrate the glorious feast and to enjoy one another.

Mindful of family and friends, Mama LoCoco insisted that they be remembered by sending a

postcard. It was my responsibility to do this. While addressing the cards, I asked my sister,

Adeline, about Amy (not her real name), my mom’s friend who traveled frequently but never

remembered mom by sending a card. After some discussion, it was decided we would omit

her from the list.

Having finished the cards, I read mom a typical message and listed the names receiving them.

Mom was in her nineties and while there were three-dozen cards, she noticed that Amy’s

name was omitted and asked why. I explained, “She never sends you a card.”

I have never forgotten Mama LoCoco’s response: “Why should her behavior determine what I

do?”  

How might the world be transformed if we each followed her words of wisdom? Does the behavior of others determine my behavior or do I believe in a way that speaks the season of mercy?   

Brother Bernard LoCoco, FSC

            

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“...whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:1-12 

Ouch! Today’s Gospel is a blunt condemnation of hypocrisy. As a sect or party in the Judaism

of Jesus’ day, the Pharisees prided themselves on their strict adherence to the Law of Moses,

and it appears that many of them thought they were better than everyone else. Jesus had

numerous run-ins with them during his ministry and today’s Gospel exposes their hypocrisy.

Notice that Jesus doesn’t tell his followers to ignore the Pharisees’ teaching about the Law of

Moses. That would have made no sense. Instead, what Jesus does here is urge his disciples to

follow a higher law which the Pharisees seem to have lost sight of. Don’t put on a big show

when you pray, don’t go after places of honor, don’t insist on names or titles that you haven’t

earned, and don’t misuse the power or influence of your office. The honest truth is, we don’t

like people who do these things, and Jesus observes that, sooner or later: “Whoever exalts

himself will be humbled.”

Instead, here’s the higher law: “The greatest among you must be your servant” and “whoever

humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus loved irony, and he loved to turn things upside down.

Do you want to be noticed by others? Be invisible. Do you want to be praised for your good

deeds? Do them in secret. During these Lenten days, try on some different “spiritual clothes” –

you’ll be amazed at what you look like! Be a servant instead of the master, be humble instead

of inflated, be a doer instead of a talker, be a giver instead of a taker, be a builder instead of a

wrecker.  

“Preach the Gospel. Use words if necessary.” (St. Francis of Assisi) 

Brother Michael Meister, FSC

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“They said to him, ‘We can.’” Matthew 20:17-28  

At first glance, these words from the sons of Zebedee, James and John, seem to be admirable.

Yet, Jesus knows their hearts and reminds them that to follow him means to fully give

themselves to God. Are they ready for what that could entail? Words must be accompanied

with actions and to follow Jesus these actions must be rooted in service. John Baptist de La

Salle expressed a similar sentiment when he wrote to the early Brothers, “your zeal must go so

far…you are ready to give your very life, so dear to you are the children entrusted to you”

(MTR 198.1).

Lent is about deepening our relationship with God and seeking to live the Gospel more fully.

Yes, it is a life-long journey, but these 40 days allow us to live the Gospel with a certain

intentionality. And so wherever we find ourselves these days, let us not lose hope. Let us

keep persevering and remember that it is in the giving that we receive. As Pope Francis

reminds us in this year’s Lenten message, “If through me God helps someone today, will he

not tomorrow provide for my own needs? For no one is more generous than God.” We are

not on this journey alone and so perhaps today we can find an extra opportunity to give of our

time to God and others.

 

It has been two weeks since Ash Wednesday, how have my actions followed my words? 

Brother Chris Patiño, FSC

THURSDAY, MARCH 1 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table.” Luke 16:19-31 

 

We often think of charity as something that we do: “Today I’m going to go to class, hang out

with my friends, and then in the afternoon I’m doing charity work in San Francisco.” Charity is

one priority among many. However, this attitude misses the whole point of what charity is.

Charity (caritas) is love. Charity is not something I do, but it is something I am. Charity defines

me.

This is what Jesus implies in the story about Lazarus and the rich man, which He tells in our

Gospel reading today. The rich man is confronted with the poor, sick Lazarus, yet he remains

indifferent. He may give to Lazarus, but it is only out of his excess wealth (his scraps). Even

then he leaves Lazarus lying at the door. The rich man is not charitable. He is lacking what

makes him who he is. This is why Jesus does not give the rich man a name. The rich man lacks

humanity because he refuses to recognize the humanity in Lazarus. For this, the rich man

suffers the ultimate loss: the separation he has imposed between himself and Lazarus extends

into eternity.

This harsh lesson is especially poignant during Lent; the time when the Church asks us to

reconsider our commitment to, and understanding of charity by means of prayer, fasting, and

almsgiving. Perhaps this Lent we can focus on being charitable, instead of doing works of

charity.

Loving God, help us to not to give our love as scraps from our table, but to offer our entire being as a gift to others. May we open the door to those whom we find difficult to love, and recognize their God-given humanity. 

Drew Gai

Class of 2019

Theology and Philosophy

   

FRIDAY, MARCH 2 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

“When the Chief Priests and Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them.” Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 

Our Gospel, Parable of the Tenants, is the second of two around which Matthew’s account of

the Temple authorities’ conflict with Jesus ripens toward their determination to orchestrate

His judicial murder.

Standing on their authority, the Chief Priests and the Pharisees have demanded of Jesus, “By

what authority do you do these things?”—these things: teach novel doctrine, drive

money-changers from the Temple, and generally embarrass the religious administration?

Jesus has offered to answer their question, but only if they first answer His: “Was John’s

baptism of divine or of human origin?” They have deliberately responded (surely, through

clenched teeth), “We”—keepers of the Divine Law, stewards of the Promise: we who should

know—“do not know.” For, had they affirmed “from heaven,” they might be called to account

before “the crowd” for not believing John: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”

Yet, had they affirmed “of human origin,” they must offend “the crowd,” who take John (as

they do not) for a prophet (cf. Matthew 21: 23-32).

So, the authorities’ evasive “non-answer” turns on the authority “the crowd” wields over

them, fear.

Jesus first unmasks the authorities’ evasion through the Parable of the Sons (21: 28-32). Then

(21:33-46), He recalls Isaiah’s “Song” of the vineyard that, despite loving cultivation, yielded

only bitter fruit (Isaiah 5:1-7). “Judge,” Isaiah invites the people of the Covenant, “between

me and my vineyard.” “Judge,” Jesus invites the Chief Priests and Pharisees, “between the

tenants and their landlord.” And as, in Isaiah, the people of Jerusalem and Judah are the

vineyard of the Lord against which they pronounce, “Let it be given over to ruin,” so the

Temple authorities cannot but pronounce judgment against the tenants, they themselves who

inwardly reject the judgment and hate Him who framed it.  

Lord Jesus, Truth in Person, preserve, and increase in us ever, the love of truth, which sets us free from ruinous fear. 

S. A. Cortright

Philosophy Department  

SATURDAY, MARCH 3 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.” Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 

A few years had past since I came out to my parents as gay. I was home for Christmas and was

joking with my sister about finding a man so that I wouldn’t have to work anymore. My mom

overheard and said my desire to be with another man was disgusting. I was so hurt. I stopped

communicating with my family after that. I did not answer phone calls, ignored voicemail

messages for weeks. Eventually, my mom sent me an email and I wrote back,

“As my parent, I need more than your acceptance. I need you to stand by me. What parent

sees their child being attacked and chimes in? Why do you believe others but not me? It

makes me sad that you do not want to get to know me. I am your son.”

Months later, I finally spoke to my mom on the phone and she said she needed more time. I

said, “No, I’ve waited years for you to accept me. I can’t have a relationship with you. It’s too

painful.” So my mom reached out to another mother from a Vietnamese PFLAG group. I sent

her the movie Prayers for Bobby and she watched it. The Vietnamese Catholic community had

a panel about supporting gay members in our community, she went to that. She became

physically ill during this time. I don’t know the cause, but the stress was not helping.

To this day, my mom still does not feel comfortable attending a gay pride parade with me but

she has asked if I’ve met a “friend” who makes me happy. My mom has never stopped loving

me; I believe she loves me to the extent that she knows how.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son has always been one of my favorite stories in the bible. It

gives me hope and an image of unconditional love. I come home because this is what I long

for.  

May we be receptive to the imperfect ways that God loves us.  

Quang Luu

Mission and Ministry

    

 

3RD SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 4 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“He told me everything I have done.” John 4:5-42  

A half hour ago, I boarded the airplane from where I now write. After shoving my bag into the

overhead compartment and settling into my seat, I promptly put on headphones. When I land

in San Francisco, I will haul my luggage onto BART for the train ride home, and I will execute a

similar ritual: sit, settle, headphones.

I often travel alone, and this is my routine. On planes and trains, headphones reliably

communicate to people that I do not want to talk. It’s nothing against them; I’m sure they’re

all nice, interesting people. But I’m an introvert. And I want to rest on the trek back home. And

I don’t want any distraction from the work I’m doing.

Today’s Gospel tale recounts the kind of uncomfortable conversation that my headphones

help me avoid. What unfolds between Jesus and this unnamed woman is an incredibly

awkward conversation. She is minding her business when the stranger interrupts with a

request. She explains why the ask is culturally inappropriate, yet Jesus insists. After she

reluctantly obliges, he persists in conversation. Not only that, but he acknowledges the

undisclosed and highly stigmatized circumstances of her life. If only she’d had headphones!

Averting this encounter with Jesus would have spared that woman the discomfort of their

exchange, but it also would have kept her from the extraordinary connection they

experienced. She felt as if Jesus perceived “everything” she had ever done. It was an

encounter so compelling that she later preached it to her kin. Who would have assumed their

awkward banter would be transformative?

During this season of reflection and conversion, this story challenges me to surrender the

comforts of my routines and risk more encounters with others—especially inconvenient and

uncomfortable ones.  

Think of the moments of grace we might have missed because of the comfort our headphones afford. Perhaps it’s time to remove them.  

Jessica Coblentz

Theology & Religious Studies Department

  

MONDAY, MARCH 5 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury.” Luke 4:24-30  

 

Jesus asserts that his listeners are rejecting a prophet and are hard-hearted like those from the

past where other prophets had appeared. In reflecting on the prophets, Abraham Joshua

Heschel explains the prophet as a lonely person, one who “alienates the wicked as well as the

pious, the cynics as well as the believers, the priests and the princes, the judges and the false

prophets. But to be a prophet means to challenge and to defy and to cast out fear.”

I wonder if, beneath the rage of these particular religious people, there is fear. Perhaps Jesus is

challenging what they have built their lives upon. They’re the ‘right’ people, the ‘good’ people,

they believe. Those other people are the ‘bad’ people, they believe. And then Jesus says

essentially, no you’re not. Ouch.

For much of my life, I have held the belief that I have to perform or achieve in order to be

accepted by God and others. This belief, which informed my actions, was often anxiety and

fear-inducing. There is amazing freedom in realizing wholeheartedly that we do not have to

earn the love and acceptance of God

We all need prophetic voices in our lives. What is underneath the anger when words of truth

are spoken to us? Can we sit with this in prayer and meditation with an open heart?  

Loving God, soften our hearts so that we may be open to your prophetic voice in our lives. 

 

Ryan M. Lamberton

Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action

         

TUESDAY, MARCH 6 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“Peter approached Jesus and asked him, ‘Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.’” Matthew 18:21-35 

Hating is easier than loving. In the same way, it is much more difficult to forgive someone who

has mistreated you than to have animosity toward them. I once held a grudge against a former

friend of mine who had turned her back on me for other more popular girls. I was so mad that

it consumed me. I was hurt that she had betrayed my trust and I thought that if I made new

friends, they would betray me in the same way. Holding that grudge took up much of my time

and energy that I should have used looking for people that would enjoy my company. When I

finally forgave her, I was able to expand my horizons and find friends who truly cared about

me.

Loving and forgiving take time, energy, and self awareness. When we love others, when we

forgive others, we are acknowledging their humanity. Ultimately, we are loving and forgiving

ourselves for our own indiscretions and able to grow in our faith with God.

Help me to forgive so that I can make room in my heart for love.   

Samantha M. Coale

Class of 2018

JCL-TFT and History (Minor)

    

       

 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17-19 

This is a powerfully important message for all of us during the Lenten season. Lent has

historically been a time of prayer, penance, repentance, and self-denial. These are all good

things in-and-of-themselves. But it is fair to ask what is the purpose of such activities?

When Jesus proclaimed that he was not sent by his Father to abolish, He was referring to the

laws and prophecies found in the Old Testament, and was clear that not even the “smallest

letter or the smallest part of a letter” should be changed. So too, our own prayer, penance,

and abstinence during the Lenten season should not be thought of as an end or an

abolishment of those thoughts, activities, and actions that keep us from attaining the

perfection of God’s divine plan for us. One cannot just will these human frailties away.

Instead, the Lenten season is an opportunity to build on our spiritual strengths and rise above

our frailties through the power provided by God’s loving grace. Our Lenten prayers, fasts, and

purposeful acts of goodness are ways of inviting God’s grace into our hearts, to focus our

thoughts and desires on that which is positive and good in our lives, and ultimately fulfill His

plan for us to achieve the perfection that is the spirit of God. This is in accord with the original

Lenten intention of justice towards God, justice towards self, and justice towards neighbors.

It is through the positive thoughts and acts that we perform during the Lenten season that we

can aspire to be a true servant of God and be called “greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

What grace have you received during Lent thus far?   

Ed Tywoniak

Communication Studies Department

      

THURSDAY, MARCH 8 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe.”  

Luke 11:14-23 

In this Gospel reading, Jesus performs the miracle of expelling demons and the people who

witness this miracle doubt Jesus. At one point in all of our lives, we dwell in doubt. We doubt

our existence, our faith and grandiose questions like “why is there pain?”, and “why does

death exist?” We sometimes allow our inner demons and vices overcome us and we can forget

why we are really here. It is normal to question God, because as we experience trials and

tribulations in our lives, our faith can either grow or wither. I know I still continue to doubt my

journey and I wonder where Jesus is leading me. You may think about all of the unfortunate

events in your life and reflect on why you follow Christ. Jesus invites you to question your life

and ask him all of the hard questions during this Lenten season. Like the Gospel, we must

guard our palace to protect our possessions but how can we do that if we do not fully know

what we possess inside? Once we recognize who we are by passing this state of doubt, we

become self actualized individuals with peace in our hearts.

Take time to reflect on your life, and bring your troubles to God, he openly awaits you. What questions do you have and how can God help you answer them?  

Crystal Monroy

Class of 2021

Integral

       

FRIDAY, MARCH 9 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

"You are not far from the Kingdom of God." Mark 12:28-34 

We look to Jesus as an example of the way to live a full content life. Through his life, Jesus

loved everyone. Race, gender, or social status didn’t matter to him, the most important thing

was love. Love for God and for the people who surrounded his life. In the scripture it states in

order to enter the Kingdom of God one must put God above all else and only trust in Him and

love thy neighbor as thyself. There will be times in our lives where we won’t feel the love of

God and question whether He is there or not. During Lent one either gives up or takes on

something that they love. It’s a true challenge and some wouldn’t be able to do it without

God. God had to sacrifice His only Son to save our sins. So when temptation lingers and one

isn’t trusting in God alone, they have to remember what God did and try to channel it. For God

is greater than all. Loving the people around us may have its challenges. We can be holding on

to old grudges, feeling annoyed, or not respected but we have to take into consideration what

the other person is feeling. They may be feeling the same way you are. If you want to be

respected and feel cared for, you must do the same to others. Lent is a time for reflection and

it allows us to recognize how we are entering into the Kingdom of God.

May we channel your love through this season of Lent and the rest of our life.    

Karissa A. Peinado

Class of 2020

Biology

     

   

SATURDAY, MARCH 10 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“…for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14   

This passage reminds me of a quote from Maya Angelou, “What humility does for one is it

reminds us that there are people before me”. With that said, who are we to make judgements

and/or assumptions about others? Who are we to believe and/or trust that we are above or

superior than another person? Everyone faces human imperfections. Everyone is struggling

with something. Someone may handle it differently than another, but at the end of the day,

we as humans have the common, end goal to live and create happiness, whatever that looks

like to us, individually. By treating each other as equal humans and believing that what we put

out in the universe is what we receive in return, we must be reminded that by showing mercy

and grace will receive mercy and gratitude.

May we be generous in showing mercy and grace to others.    

Samantha Alberto

Residential Experience

4TH SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 11 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“The man called Jesus… He is a prophet… I do believe, Lord…”  John 9:1-41 

It was last year, on Good Friday… as my husband I drove home from our parish’s service, to

lighten the very somber mood we were in, we began teasing each other about stress. I told

him he was the reason for my stress, and he said I was the source of his stress. So, I asked him,

“Which one do you prefer, my presence with stress or my absence with no stress?” He said “I

prefer your presence in my life despite all the stress, hassles, and troubles.” Suddenly, it

occurred to me that God so wants our presence, and a relationship with us so much - despite

all the stresses, hassles, and troubles - that he was willing to sacrifice of His only Son on the

cross. An authentic and meaningful relationship is extremely hard to attain, and it always

comes with some struggles. There are no relationships without struggles, and there is no

significant meaning to a relationship if there are no struggles. The true relationship reflects

divine love.

In this Gospel reading, a man blind from birth encountered Jesus. Interestingly enough, he

found himself in big trouble once Jesus restored his sight. His neighbors asked him questions

he didn’t have answers for. At this point, Jesus was just “the man called Jesus” to him. Then,

he found himself in bigger trouble when he was presented to the Pharisees. He had to repeat

himself. However, through this process, Jesus became “a prophet” to him. Unfortunately, the

situation got so serious that even his parents wouldn’t answer for him, and eventually, the

Pharisees threw him out. Through all these struggles, however, by repeating what Jesus had

done for him again and again, he realized the true meaning of his relationship with Jesus.

Finally, he acknowledged Jesus as “the Christ.”

Loving God, accompany me though all my struggles in this Lenten journey, so that, at the end, I too may confess, “I do believe, Lord.” 

Hwa Seong (Christine) Oh

Student Engagement & Academic Success

   

 

MONDAY, MARCH 12 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.” John 4:43-54 

 

Today’s reading tells of a homecoming and a welcoming, though John presents the Galileans’

welcome as blemished by the reason behind it: they “ welcomed” Jesus because of his record

of “signs and wonders” (4:48).

Now, if I press myself on it, I know that I am more than my record, more than any résumé of

my visible accomplishments and failures could possibly capture. I know that I am more than

the various categories I fall into—professional, demographic, familial, etc. But how often do I

forget this? How often to I fail to remember that the same is true of every person I encounter?

It is a powerful act of humility to recognize that even the people we know best are overflowing

with possibilities, that even those to whom we are closest are far more than we could ever

grasp. It is a powerful act of faith to let that sense of more guide our interactions with others,

to truly welcome them to discover, create, and live out their own possibilities.  

How might we more faithfully encounter and welcome the “more than ____” in ourselves and one another?  

Megan Mustain

Academic Affairs

              

TUESDAY, MARCH 13 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this [healing] on a sabbath.” John 5:1-16  

The Jews in this Scripture passage makes my blood boil. They’re persecuting Him because he

healed a sick man on the Sabbath???? OMG...this is absolutely absurd.

It’s hard for me to fathom how holy and sacred the religious laws were at that time that it

would anger people so much that they wanted to kill Jesus for breaking them. Perhaps they

believed that by Jesus performing this miracle, he was trying to play the role of God and that

was blasphemous. Maybe even made people envious, so envious that they wanted to kill him.

Disagreements and misunderstanding happen everyday but to persecute someone angers me

so much. Even when the core of your beliefs are threatened.

I have heard stories of activists who have been arrested for civil disobedience because they

were non-violently protesting at nuclear power plants or at the School of Americas. Even

though they had disobeyed the law, they were still treated with respect by law enforcers. We

can disagree civilly.

But when I hear about undocumented families being torn apart because they are trying to find

a better way of life for their families here in this country...it makes my blood boil. Actually it

breaks my heart too.

What injustices make your blood boil? 

Quang Luu

Mission and Ministry

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

“My father is at work until now, so I am at work.” John 5:17-30 

Who are my role models?

Who are the best examples in my life?

Where do I go to for answers when I get stuck?

How do I present my best self to the world?

These questions come to my immediate thoughts as I reflect on this Gospel reading. I’m

reminded about who has shaped me today, and the impact they have on all of my identities

(as mom, wife, college administrator, friend, sister, leader). I consider all of the positive role

models and mentors in my life, and through this reading, wonder of the work of God’s

presence working “within and throughout” everyone. It motivates me to think about the

individual gifts that He has given to people and how those talents manifest itself in our

day-to-day lives, purpose, and work. I see the good resulted in people’s “actions” (even

through tough decisions and times) and am always moved to do the same.

Grant us Lord the wisdom and a clear vision to foresee the right steps as we work and as we plan. Through your love and example, help us present our best gifts to the world.   

Evette Castillo Clark

Office of Student Life

  

       

THURSDAY, MARCH 15 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf.” John 5:31-47 

 

Take a moment and look at yourself, to reflect on what you have done and what you have

said. It doesn’t matter when you do this, just look at yourself. Take a moment and reflect. In

this moment acknowledge your successes, and try to recognize one moment throughout your

day when God was present to you. He is often subtle in His movement, speaks in whispers,

recognizable in silence. He is with you, you just have to take a moment to hear Him. Now think

on your failings, what lead you to this? Can I do better next time, and do I want to? It is

important during this time of Lent see how our humanness can fail, but God offers us mercy

and takes us and uses us to do His will with all our brokenness.

When we fail to do good He offers Himself on the cross in hopes we find our life in Him. Finally

think of the rest of your day, and the next day, and offer it to the Lord. If you feel joy for the

coming day, set it upon the foot of the cross and give thanks. If you feel anxious, set it upon

the foot of the cross and give thanks. No matter how you feel, set your day upon the foot of

the cross and give thanks. By doing this you have invited Christ into you day, to use you as an

instrument of His love and peace. God comes to us in our successes and failures, always at the

ready to remind us that we are His beloved. Let us testify with our whole selves, in our words

and our actions. Invite Christ to be present in us, and if we do this our successes will testify to

truth; our failing will testify to the truth of Christ’s mercy. Our being will testify to the truth

that is Christ Jesus.  

Lord let me be your hands, so that I may labor in your field. Let me be your heart, so I may love as you have loved. Lord may I be your lips, so that I may speak your truths. Lord take all of me so that I may testify with the entirety of my spirit to the entirety of your love. Amen. 

 

Halen Gamino

Class of 2020

Integral

   

FRIDAY, MARCH 16 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him.”  

John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30  

As the identity and mission of Jesus become increasingly clear as the events of John’s gospel

unfold, resistance and confusion are often the result.

Just before today’s passage, “many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him”

(6:66) because of his “hard teaching” (6:60). And now, he thinks twice about traveling to Judea

for fear of his life (7:1), attempts are made to arrest him (7:30), and there exists a general

confusion among the people about who he is and where he is from (7:25-27).

Finding ourselves just over a month into the journey of Lent, as we grapple with our creaturely

mortality, our moral culpability, and the call of Jesus on our lives, we may respond in a similar

way. Does following Jesus really require laying down all of who we are? Isn’t his challenge for

us to “come and die,” as the 20th century German Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer

famously put it, a little extreme? And is he even really Lord, after all? It sure seems like it

would just be easier to ignore him and get on with our plans for our lives, thank you very

much.

Two pieces of good news: First, Jesus can handle these questions—in fact, he encourages

them. So, ask away. Second, the journey of Lent is far from over. We still have a way to go

before the pain of Good Friday, the silence of Holy Saturday, and the joy of Resurrection

Sunday. So, stay with him.  

Jesus, reveal to me where I am resisting or confused about your identity and your mission. By the power of the Holy Spirit, give me the courage to bring these questions to you and the strength to stay with you on this Lenten journey. 

 

Elliott Haught

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

    

SATURDAY, MARCH 17 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.”  

John 7:40-53  

Maybe you’ve heard the expression, “you can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Many times in

my life, I’ve hesitated to make a decision or to speak up because I wanted to please everyone.

I didn’t want to say definitively what I really felt because to do so would mean I would have to

choose sides and possibly anger or hurt one of my friends.

Jesus causes a stir in the crowd and forces the people to choose sides. Hearing truth, the

crowd gathered had to make a decision; to go along, trying desperately to fit in, or take a

stand and speak out boldly for what they believed.

Because Jesus proclaims exclusive allegiance as the truth, Jesus causes division in the crowd.

Sometimes, no matter how lovingly we act and how pure our motives, we will often face

opposition, even from those closest to us, when we separate from those who oppose the

truth. But to be like Jesus, we must sometimes do it.

To experience the richest value that we have in Christ, there will be times when we will have

to speak bold truth to power, to fight relentlessly for justice, to unashamedly claim our belief

and faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We must release the demonic temptation to

remain silent, out of fear of what others may think, refusing to publicly proclaim our love and

commitment to a stand of faith in Christ.

Today, make a new commitment to stand firm in what you believe, shouting out loud your

love for Christ, knowing that if Jesus was treated that way, so will His servants. Tell your truth.

Count it as an honor!

How can you tell when a critic’s reasons for not believing are really just excuses? How can you probe deeper? 

 

Rev. Vickia A. Brinkley

Human Resources

    

5TH SUNDAY OF LENT, MARCH 18 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

“And Jesus wept.” John 11:1-45 

The Lazarus story is a window into what I think of as the divine humanity and human divinity of

Jesus. In other readings, we learn that Jesus joins us in joy, anger, wonder, love, curiosity,

righteousness and humility (to name a few). Today, I am grateful for the Jesus we meet in the

Lazarus story – a compassionate Jesus who, as the word “compassionate” indicates, suffers

with us.

When Jesus encounters Mary, Martha, and Lazarus’ loved ones they are crying in sorrow. In

response: Jesus wept. Jesus wept, not only out of compassion for the grief of others, but it

seems to me, for his own grief at his friend’s death. Jesus wept, because in his humanity he

feels as we feel, he suffers as we suffer. Just as Jesus wept for Lazarus and his loved ones, I

believe he also weeps for you and me in our individual and collective sufferings. Jesus weeps

for our planet and the effects of global warming. Jesus weeps in the face of systemic

oppression. Jesus weeps for the poor and marginalized. Jesus weeps both with and for us. And

in that weeping, I find solace.

My reflection on this reading comes at a time when my friend Rob has died after a 27-year

battle with cancer. We were 22 years old when he was diagnosed; at that time, I wept for Rob

and for my new knowledge of the fragility of young life. Now at the time of Rob’s death, I

imagine Jesus at his bedside weeping for his suffering and feeling it as if it were his own. I also

imagine Jesus weeping in response to the intense grief of Rob’s wife, his teenage children, and

of all of us who loved him.

What is your experience of the human divinity and divine humanity of Jesus? How does it feel to experience your sorrows and grief in the presence of a fellow-weeping Jesus?  

Jennifer M. Pigza

Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action

 

MONDAY, MARCH 19 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

Feast of Saint Joseph  

Each year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.  

Luke 2:41-51  In honor of the Feast of St. Joseph, have a conversation about faith with your parents. Talk to them about Lent.   

   

  

TUESDAY, MARCH 20 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

“Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.”  John 8:21-30 

In the first part of this reading, the Pharisees question the way Jesus spoke because they were

grounded in their tradition and its teachings. The words of Jesus seemed foreign to that

tradition, and they challenged him.

We read and may wonder: Do we understand all that Jesus spoke? If we struggle and doubt,

will we, too, not go where the Son of Man goes; that we “belong to this world.”

Or does Jesus ask us to see our world with a new lens and to understand that to see our world

through a lens of love is based in “what the Father taught” him. As the Son of Man, the Son of

God, Jesus knows the great possibilities, but we, like the Pharisees, may not yet be capable of

this total awareness or understanding.

And perhaps if we are to fully follow Jesus, to go where the Son of Man goes, we are to first

follow his teachings in this world. We must be of this world and value it: insure justice, value

human life and offer human love. At Saint Mary’s College, we know this agrees with the

teachings of La Salle, and his directive to see the good, the God, in everyone. Love can nourish

our inner souls and spirits and can prepare us for that world that is not of this world.

It is because we know love goes beyond this world, that we can walk every step in the

direction of the good. We too may come to believe.

Lord, sometimes I want to escape this world so that I can be free from suffering and sadness. Give me faith so that I may see more of your beauty and goodness in this world. 

Pamela Thomas Collegiate Seminar

Retired - Mission and Ministry

   

 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham.” John 8:31-42  

When I was little I wanted to grow up to be just like my dad. I think we all have this want at

some point; my cousin once wanted so much to be like her father that she attempted to

shave. Even though I tried hard when I was older to become something different, I find myself

in college studying exactly what my dad did. It seems that no matter how hard we try some

part of our parents rubs off on us.

The disciples wanted to claim their heritage as that of Abraham, but Jesus challenged this.

True children of Abraham would be like Abraham in their unwavering faith and leadership.

Abraham trusted the Lord and he listened to God. Yet, to be a son of Abraham is to be a son

of Adam, which means within us all is original sin.

Perhaps the disciples’ failure to follow the righteous paths of their ancestors is hinting that it’s

time to look at how our families affect us. Not everything passed down to us is beneficial. Our

parents aren’t the only family we have, there are also families we choose to be in. We have

our friends, our church, our school...all these affect who we become. Jesus provides us an

opportunity to choose a new sort of family, one in which we are children of God. I, for one,

want to join that family.  

What does it mean to choose to be a child of God?    

Kathryn Magee

Class of 2021

Physics

          

THURSDAY, MARCH 22 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

“…but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.” John 8:51-59 

This reading draws our attention to the message, “whoever keeps my word will never see

death,” and the many questions around how one “keeps the word”. And we want to know

more. We want to hear more, but “Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.”

Jesus hid? Why? Didn’t he start this all? And now he hides and slips out of the temple area?

Why?

In conversation, Jesus revealed: “Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day,” and the

reaction is one of disbelief: “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?”

Jesus said that he talked with Abraham as if Abraham had not died. And, Jesus claimed that if

people kept his word, they “will never see death”.

The Jewish tradition was grounded in an acceptance of the cycle of life and death. And for one

to preach differently, and to claim to have know prophets and elders who lived years before

would sound crazy, and thus their desire to be rid of this rebel.

Jesus knew this, and he slips away. He knew this was too much to understand so quickly. He

knows the tradition of the people, and he respects it. When we want to share our thoughts

with others, we want and need a space of trust and respect: a space where all are open to

listen. Jesus knew that space was not present in the temple area. This was not a time for

conversation or for opening up the possibility of a new understanding.

May this season give us all the opportunities to speak, to listen, and to slip away if needed.  

Pamela Thomas Collegiate Seminar

Retired - Mission and Ministry    

  

   

FRIDAY, MARCH 23 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“He went back across the Jordan...and there he remained”  John 10:40 

Going back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized meant that Jesus was once

again returning to Bethany. This is where he raises Lazarus from the dead, which is the next

immediate Gospel passage (Jn 11:1). Often did he go to Bethany to be with his friends Mary,

Martha, and their brother Lazarus, as was the case just six days before his Last Supper (Jn

12:1). At this point, the Jews were picking up rocks to stone him, his enemies were accusing

him of blasphemy, and his eventual betrayal and crucifixion are imminent. In the midst of all

this, Jesus goes to Bethany to be with his beloved friends. Even Jesus needed the support and

love from those closest to him.

His journey to the cross is much like ours, a journey that is sustainable through the presence of

loved ones who walk with us. Not the fair weather friends, but true companions who

accompany us through the toughest times and rise with us in triumphant moments.

Who are the faithful friends that we seek for support, especially in our life of faith? How have

these relationships strengthened us and drawn us closer to God?  

Lord Jesus, as you sought your close friends in Bethany during times of trial, help us to have the humility to be vulnerable with our loved ones, and likewise reach out with care and compassion to those who need encouragement. 

fr. Hai Ho, OFMCap Mission and Ministry

         

SATURDAY, MARCH 24 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“This man is performing many signs” John 11:45-56  

Today’s Scripture reading unfolds as Jesus goes about from town to town performing “many

signs”. The people had seen what Jesus had done and they began to “believe in him”.

As humans it seems that we need signs before we are open to belief. What kind of signs do we

need to believe in Jesus since he no longer physically walks with us as he did among the

Pharisees and the Sanhedrin.

Sometimes signs are not visible but rather are felt in our hearts and through our senses. Other

times signs are seen not in what we do as much as in who we are. Jesus lived life deeply and

listened from his heart. He knew that he was to be about his Father’s business. His intent was

to bring about change and to create a new kingdom built on love, compassion and forgiveness.

Jesus walked among the people and read the signs of the times and saw the pain and injustice

that the people had to endure.

He perceived people and situations with eyes of compassion and knew that they needed to be

respected and loved for who they were and not by the power they possessed.

Jesus spoke truth to power and his power rested not on what he did but on who he was. His

goodness came from doing the will of his Father and changing the world order from hate to

love-from division to unity while seeking truth and understanding.

Today, we like Jesus, need to be the signs that call people to believe and hope. Like Jesus, we

are living signs when we love our enemies –when we feed the hungry-when we seek justice for

the oppressed. We become the signs when people see in us the God who has not forgotten

them.  

This Lent how will your life be a sign that Jesus is present to our broken world? 

 

Sister Dolores Montini

Mission and Ministry

 

PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 25 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.”  Mark 14:1-15:47 

Jesus died for our salvation. And, how he chose to live His life matters too.

For Jesus, He did not live to earn eternal life. He proclaimed that the reign of God is here - in

this present moment.

He was the welcoming and merciful face of the Father (Lk 5:27-32). He gave people hope (Jn

8:21-30). He stood against cultural stigmas and systems of oppression (John 5:1-16). Jesus’

death on the cross, which was totally unjust, is a consequence of the life He chose to live.

I would argue that Jesus lived a fulfilling life when he died at the young age of 33 and modeled

for us how we should live.

➔ Live for something greater than yourself

➔ Live for the people you love

➔ Imagine the kingdom of God and dedicate your whole life to building it in our world.

May this Holy Week remind how much Jesus loves us and inspire us.

Can you imagine living for something greater than yourself?    

Quang Luu

Mission and Ministry

    

    

 

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK, MARCH 26 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

“Mary…anointed the feet of Jesus.” John 12:1-11 

Curious.

Curious behavior.

Even shocking – this anointing.

Kings are anointed

And priests and prophets

And the dead.

Did Mary know? Did she know that she was anointing the dead?

Shocking behavior.

Letting down her hair. Pouring out this expensive perfume. Rubbing this man’s feet. Drying

them with her hair.

Right there in front of guests. Shocking behavior!

What about you? Have you found yourself engaged in curious behavior, perhaps even

shocking, only to find later your acts affected you or others profoundly? That God was at work

in the world through you?

God is like this: Extravagant. Excessive. Sparing no expense. Extravagant in love for the world.

Excessive in mercy made manifest in Jesus. Sparing no expense in this life lifted up and poured

out.

Holy God, you call us to tasks we may not understand. Give us an open heart and the courage to accept your call, knowing that you accompany us on our journey always. Amen.  

Sanna B. Reinholtzen

Office of the President

   

 

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK, MARCH 27 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.’” John 13:21-33, 36-38 

Thriving within the social, political, and economic situation we inhabit is hard work. Being

successful on its terms is, by most standards of judgment, an accomplishment. The college

experience—and, of course, the larger world beyond this particular experience—often

rewards such success.

But, this is precisely the sort of success Jesus asks his disciples to forego. It’s the type of

success to which Judas, amongst others, orients his life. The orientation that Jesus demands is

of a different kind. Jesus calls for a form of love that doesn’t easily comport with an

orientation toward success on the terms of the purveying social, political, and economic

systems. The Kingdom of God that Jesus preaches and seeks to actualize stands in conflict with

secular interests. The type of love that the Kingdom demands is a commitment that, in the

Gospels, typically results in conflict rather than inclusion. Following Jesus entails conflict.

Within the orientation of love ordered by the Kingdom of God, betraying Jesus and accepting

an orientation toward success often go hand-in-hand. Likewise, following Jesus often goes

hand-in-hand with betraying the pursuit of success on secular terms.  

What sorts of conflict does taking on the orientation that Jesus demands of his disciples entail? 

 

Joe Drexler-Dreis

Theology & Religious Studies Department

          

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK, MARCH 28 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him [Jesus] over to you?" Matthew 26:14-15 

Sometimes we are willing to give up our faith in exchange for the world. Sometimes we fall

and betray God in our pursuit towards worldly success. Sometimes we are Judas. It is so easy

for us to value money, fame, and success over God’s love for us. Although we may fall into the

temptations of the world, let us not forget that God’s love for us is unconditional. Lent is a

constant reminder that we are sinners; that we are bound to fall. But it is also a reminder that

we are loved by a merciful God who sees beyond our faults. St. John Paul II said, “we are not

the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father’s love for us.”

Let us shift our focus away from the world and unto our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Be

reminded of the love that outweighs our sins even when we feel as if we are unworthy of

being forgiven.

Lord, help me to focus on you alone so that I may not betray your love and mercy.  

Adi Diaz

Class of 2020

Psychology and Theology & Religious Studies

     

   

 

HOLY THURSDAY, MARCH 29 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

“If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet.” John 13:1-15 

History of Foot Washing on Holy Thursday by Pope Francis:

2001 - Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio washes the feet of AIDS patients

2008 - Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio washes feet of residents at a drug rehabilitation shelter

2013 - Casal del Marmo Youth Detention Centre

2014 - Don Gnocchi Centre for the Disabled

2015 - Rebibba Prison

2016 - Centre for Asylum Seekers in Castelnuovo di Porto

2017 - Paliano Prison

The washing of the feet by Jesus was a symbolic act. There is meaning behind who is washing

whose feet. If Jesus had washed the feet of a random person in the streets who did not know

about Him, it probably would have meant that Jesus cared and wanted to affirm the person’s

human dignity. Now if Jesus had said to this person “Go and do likewise...” this person would

probably have said “Uhh, thanks. But I don’t think so.” It’s different though when Jesus

washed the feet of his friends and followers - people who highly respected him. Imagine if it

were your grandparents washing your dirty, stinky feet - for many of us there would be so

much more emotions, significance and implications in the action.

There was love and there was a mandate in the meaning when Jesus washed the feet of His

disciples. Take care of each other, look out for one other. His ministerial work before the Last

Supper would suggest that this love and care be extended beyond the inner circle. There is

meaning when a world leader like Pope Francis decides to deviate from tradition and wash the

feet of women, prisoners, Muslims, patients living with AIDS and people with disabilities.

Church leaders have read and proclaimed the same Gospel for centuries. How a person makes

meaning and lives out the Gospel is dependent on their life experiences. Some experiences

we are born into, others we seek out.

Pope Francis is challenging the church to be more inclusive by calling us to be attentive to

God’s children who have been rejected.

What experiences inform the feet you will wash?   

Quang Luu

Mission and Ministry 

GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 30 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

“My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants [would] be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” John 18:1-19:42

I still remember my first Good Friday observed away from my family. It was my first year in

the South Bronx as a Lasallian Volunteer and my roommate and I decided to go to a nearby

church for the Stations of the Cross. As we entered this old stone church that evening I was

struck by how dark and cold it was, there were no lights on and only a handful of candles. If

they even had heating for this old church, it was NOT on. It was a very damp and rainy night

(typical for early spring in New York), so this old church was not a source of comfort from the

conditions. The natural environment of this church made it easy to be catapulted into the

depths of the solemnity of this day, of this time. I hated it from the first 15 minutes of the

3-hour service. I truly thought I would never attend a Good Friday service again, anywhere!

Needless to say, I have been lured back by the Brothers into numerous Good Friday services!

Through the years I came to realize my “hate” of that experience was simply a response to a

service that was a profound embodiment of grief! Well done little church in the South Bronx,

but I wasn't interested in going there! Further, I also discovered over time was that in our

grieving of the sacrifice of Jesus we can get connected to all other unresolved grief in our lives

and in our world.

I believe the Triduum as a whole, and Good Friday in particular, parallels life. Our

re-enactment of the Passion of Christ each year is critical to us fully understanding what it

takes to build the kingdom of God in the here and now. It requires regularly remembering

who we are called to be as people of faith, finding compassion (for ourselves and others)

amidst the most challenging times in our lives and to not forsake the complexities of the entire

Triduum experience to live solely in the experience of Easter…however tempting this may be.

Life is full of deaths and resurrections. This reality is what connects us with all of humanity.

This is what it is to live our faith with authenticity, integrity and courage. We are called to

remember the sacrifice of Jesus, the only son of God, for us. The hope being that we will come

to know and accept him as he did us, and so that we may love others as he loved us. To

varying degrees of intensity each year I spend Lent examining what I need to let “die” in my

life so that I can experience a “resurrection” and live life more fully. My nature is not to lean

into and invite such “deaths” but with each one I become more understanding of this being a

natural part of living intentionally as a person of faith.

Loving God, continue to guide me so that I grow in knowing and accepting you with the compassion and love that you offered the world through your son, Jesus.  

Karin McClelland

Mission and Ministry

 

   

     

  

      

   

EASTER VIGIL, MARCH 31 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“He has been raised; he is not here.” Mark 16:1-7  

Surprise surprise in so many ways. The women expected to find the dead body Of Jesus.

Sorry no show! Instead they saw a very alive and transcendent young man proclaiming the

good news, "He is not here," he says looking them in the eye. Implicitly stating, “What did

you expect?” You can't snuff out eternal life, or infinite love. The hidden mystery of Jesus

explodes into appearance. Was this wonderful human being all the time hiding eternal life? It

seems so. It's time to connect to what he was hinting about all the time, "I am the way, the

truth and THE LIFE.” And he has been inviting the disciples all along to enter this kingdom of

eternal life and a perpetual banquet, joy unlimited. Everything has been turned topsy-turvy

and inside out. Jesus is alive after a terrible death, and he is inviting us to join in the fullness.

Now is the time to begin to realize that we are all living images of the Divine, we have eternal

life in us if we only accept it, believe it, live it. Yeah! Go for it. Let's become alive with the

new life in Jesus, and know that all are called to this kingdom, this banquet. If you receive the

Holy Eucharist today, know that you are receiving eternal life, here and now so as to be

changed from simply human to Divine. Be all that you can be in the LORD JESUS; we are all

called to share in eternal life, beginning NOW.  

SMILE, LET THE WORLD KNOW YOU ARE ALIVE WITH JESUS IN YOU.  

Brother Camillus Chavez, FSC

          

   

EASTER, APRIL 1 ____________________ ☩ ____________________ 

 

“For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” John 20:1-9  

My first Easter as a newly ordained priest was not very happy. In the week leading up to Holy Week, I had six funerals in nine days. The list of the deceased included: two women (both died of cancer), a mother of five, a father of five, a newborn baby boy, and two brothers ages 18 and 20 (both victims of a drive-by shooting).

For all those families, Easter was not very “happy”. I was shaken to the core even at the thought of saying “Happy Easter.”

And yet, celebrating all those discouraging funerals left me with a profound realization of the awesome mystery that we celebrate on this Easter Sunday.

Because, even in the midst of the darkness and despair, beneath the sadness and suffering that overwhelms like a monsoon, there is still a profound joy. All those families had a profound joy at the very core of their being. There was a deeper joy that outlasts any passing sense of being happy or sad. And that was the joy of the Risen Christ.

This is the joy that led Peter and the other disciple to run out to the tomb together and believe together, even without fully understanding just yet. They ran together and rejoiced together.

Because of Him who is risen, there is a joy far more powerful, more steadfast, more firmly rooted and grounded in the depths of our being, than any passing moment of happiness or sadness.

Were we to proclaim like all those families, every single Easter, and every single moment, even amidst death and desolation, that in the depths of our soul there is a greater joy. All because of Jesus Christ is Risen!

Risen Lord, fill us with the joy and courage to continue walking and running together towards the life that you give us.  

fr. Hai Ho, OFMCap Mission and Ministry